On November 11, the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform proposed a 15-cent fuel tax hike.  This measure, with a suggested starting date of 2013, was set forth in hopes of keeping the Highway Trust Fund afloat.  Several other tax adjustments were proposed as well by the commission.  

Despite the obvious concerns of raising taxes during a period of economic recession, the nation faces a challenge of how to sustain transportation infrastructure.  Especially with recent reports of increased freight movement like the ones from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Trucking Associations (ATA).  

According to Truckinginfo.com, one proponent of the fuel tax hike is the ATAs 2nd Vice-Chair Barbara Windsor, according to a statement she made in July 2009.  In her statement, she said that a fuel tax increase is by far the best way to ensure sufficient funding for highway projects over the near term.

How do you feel about this potential increase? Do you think there could be a better way to fund these projects? Or is it a necessary step to better our highway infrastructure?